33 Films Exploring Art and Design

The film follows the final years of Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani's life in Paris, 1919, and his artistic competition with Pablo Picasso. Modigliani, who is Jewish, finds love with Jeanne, a young Catholic woman. They have a child out of…

Frida Kahlo has become a powerful symbol of Mexican identity and a celebrated figure, particularly within the women's rights movement. Artists like Picasso and Breton have lauded her work. This film uses visuals and music to explore the essence of…

Artemisia Gentileschi, born in 1593, was a significant figure in art history, known for her challenging life and rise to become one of the first famous female painters. The film follows her life, beginning with her early years under the…

A struggling Edgar Degas finds inspiration for his paintings in Marie, a young ballerina. He encourages Marie to believe in her hidden talent, while she helps Degas keep going despite criticism from the art world. As artist and model, they…

"Bauhaus - The Face of the 20th Century," written and narrated by Frank Whitford, is an art documentary exploring the visual innovations that emerged from the groundbreaking Bauhaus school. It details the development of these ideas, a product of the…

This documentary offers a rare look at Pablo Picasso's creative process. Using a camera rig and a transparent canvas, the film captures every moment as he paints, allowing viewers to witness art being made. It begins with simple sketches that…

THE LIFE AND TIMES OF FRIDA KAHLO examines the 20th-century artist who achieved international fame as a leading figure in modern art and a passionate political activist. The film explores the historical and cultural forces that profoundly shaped Frida Kahlo's…

Summer 1915 on the French Riviera. Jean Renoir, son of Impressionist painter Pierre-Auguste, returns home to recover from war wounds. He is accompanied by Andrée, a young woman whose presence revitalizes and inspires both him and his father.

This film portrays the challenging life of Vincent van Gogh, the Dutch artist celebrated for his distinctive and emotionally charged art. Struggling with mental health and artistic setbacks, Van Gogh finds unwavering support from his brother, Theo. Seeking fresh inspiration…

Helvetica is a documentary film exploring typography, graphic design, and how visual culture shapes our world. It examines the widespread use of the Helvetica typeface – celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2007 – as a lens through which to understand…

This film chronicles the relationship between American artist Georgia O'Keeffe and her husband, photographer Alfred Stieglitz.

This film chronicles the life of painter Frida Kahlo and her interactions with the people of her era. Confined to a wheelchair due to polio, surgeries, and amputations, she confronts and reflects the vibrant and often contentious aspects of Mexican…

This film offers a glimpse into the life of Louise Bourgeois, a renowned modern artist and feminist icon. The nearly nonagenarian Bourgeois is captivating, shifting, and deeply emotional – an artist known for her uncompromising vision and lifelong exploration of…

The film explores the life of Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, a celebrated 17th-century painter famous for his dramatic Baroque style and controversial themes. It follows his artistic triumphs and his complicated connections with the less savory side of life. The…

For over fifty years, Gerhard Richter has explored countless artistic approaches, tackling topics from historical events and media images to chance in art. This film offers a rare look inside the studio of the 79-year-old artist, documenting his creative process.…

This is the story of Michelangelo Merisi, a controversial artist destined to become the legendary Caravaggio. A violent genius, he defied the idealized world depicted by Renaissance painters. Caravaggio shocked his patrons and the art establishment by elevating marginalized people…

Rem Koolhaas is an architect who has generated considerable buzz beyond the architectural world. His notable works, including the Dutch Embassy in Berlin, the Seattle Library, the Casa da Musica concert hall in Porto, and the Guggenheim Heritage Museum in…

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, a renowned French painter, thrived in the vibrant cultural scene of Montmartre, Paris, during the late 1800s. He battled lifelong health problems, often linked to inbreeding. His life and art perfectly embody the bohemian spirit of late…

This is a rich and deeply human story exploring Rembrandt's personal relationships and career, and the debate sparked by his depiction of a murderer in the famous painting, The Night Watch.

The film explores Edvard Munch's difficult life, shaped by a childhood of loss and illness, including the deaths of his mother and sister, and his own serious health struggles. At university, he discovers a talent for painting, using it to…

This hour-long semi-documentary follows the musical collaboration between director Robert Wilson and performance artist Marina Abramovic. It also features extensive material exploring Abramovic's life and previous performances.

This is a biography of Frida Kahlo, the artist who transformed the suffering from a severe physical injury and a turbulent marriage into powerful works of art.

This is the story of Séraphine Louis (1864-1942), a French woman who began as a simple servant and unexpectedly developed into a talented self-taught painter. She gained recognition during the interwar years thanks to the influential critic and collector William…

Painters Painting: The New York Art Scene 1940-1970 is a 1972 documentary by Emile de Antonio. It explores American art movements, from abstract expressionism to pop art, through interviews with artists in their studios. The film features Willem de Kooning,…

Marina Abramović, a renowned performance artist, is preparing for a significant exhibition of her work at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

The film follows Italian painter Amedeo Modigliani during his difficult final year in 1919, as he works in Paris. He falls in love with a young woman from a wealthy family, but her parents disapprove and end their financial support.…

In August 1949, Life Magazine asked the question, "Jackson Pollock: Is he the greatest living painter in the United States?" This film explores the life of an exceptional man, often described as "an artist dedicated to concealment, a celebrity nobody…

This is a look at Austrian artist Gustav Klimt, known for his opulent and sensual paintings that became a hallmark of the Art Nouveau movement in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

The film explores the life and mind of Rembrandt van Rijn, a celebrated artist in 17th-century Holland who struggles with fame and grief after his wife's death. Against the backdrop of the Dutch Golden Age, this character study examines how…

Videographer Paul H-O grapples with his own sense of self as he develops a relationship with the enigmatic Cindy Sherman. Through intimate access, the documentary brings viewers into Sherman's world, offering a commentary on the booming New York art scene…

This biography explores the life of Salvador Dali, highlighting his close relationship with his partner Gala and their experiences in New York City during 1940. It also examines his early collaborations with filmmaker Luis Buñuel in Spain.

Japanese director Hiroshi Teshigahara presents a compelling documentary about Catalan architect Antonio Gaudí and his groundbreaking designs, which still impress people today. Teshigahara’s film combines beautiful filmmaking with a deep admiration for architecture to guide viewers through Gaudí’s extraordinary buildings.…

This film explores the life of New York artist Keith Haring, examining his exceptional talent and his vibrant approach to life. Haring was deeply dedicated not only to his art but also to social activism and teaching children, viewing both…